Norman Siegel will be speaking this Thursday, Oct 4, in Brooklyn at the Bay Ridge Dems for Change Club. The topic will be New York City Controversies, Including: Cellphones in schools, Eminent Domain, and the privatization of public parks. The meeting starts at 7:30 PM, and will be held at the Union Church, 8101 Ridge Blvd. at 81st st.

Transportation Alternatives and The Bronx Borough President present the FREE 13th Annual Tour De Bronx Oct 21 at 10 AM. Chose between a fairly flat, slow 25 mile route and a hillier, faster 40 miler. Lunch, t-shirt, snacks hoopla and the Bronx as you've never seen it before. I'm planning to help on the 40 mile route. Registering in advance helps. To register over the phone or for more info, call the Bronx Tourism Council: (718) 590-3518. Phone/fax registration ends at 5 pm on Friday, October 19, 2007.

It's not my local branch, and it may not be yours, but you should plan now to go there next Monday night, Oct 22, 2007. Where? Why?

The Mulberry Street Branch of the New York Public Library (the entrance is really 10 Jersey Street between Mulberry & Lafayette) is an interestingly designed, well-executed re-use of some ground-floor and basement Soho industrial space.(Predictably, perhaps, luxury apts are above).

Next Monday night two local figures,author Terry Iacuzzo and Monsignor Donald Sakano (of Old St. Patricks Cathedral) will talk about little Italy-Soho, followed by a tour of Old St. Patrick's -- catacombs included .

Thus you get three treats for the price (Did I say "free" by the way?) of one: The library, a story of Little Italy and a chance to see Old St. Patrick's.

RSVP by email to mulberry_branch@nypl.org or by telephone 212-966-3424

I got this from Lambda Independent Democrats:

LID and the Atlantic Yards - Oct. 22nd

LID will be taking a hard look at the Atlantic Yards proposal. Until now, the club has remained neutral, but the time has come to take a position. We have invited Councilmember Latitia James (confirmed) and Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz (unconfirmed) to talk about the pros and cons of this project. Please join us on October 22nd, 7:30pm at Camp Friendship located at 339 8 Street, just below 6th Avenue.

[Editor's Note: I wonder if Marty Markowitz will dare show his face at a gay and lesbian organization after his endorsement of homophobe Noach Dear for judge...]

If you've been to Bryant Park in the last few days, you'll have noticed the lawn is gone in preparation for free ice skating at the The Pond at Bryant Park . Skating continues through mid-January according to the web-site, but skaters were promised the rink through March for this year. Citibank may have dug wrongly and deeply into sub-prime loans, but the gift of free skating is quite wonderful. Enjoy. I certainly plan to and hope to see you there.

Shown at the 2007 Tribeca Film Festival, was a remarkable bio-pic of folk-singer, leftist trouble maker : “ “Pete Seeger – The Power of Song” .

Now it will play for non-festival movie goers at the IFC Center
323 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10014 (6th Ave. at 3rd Street). Call for times (212) 924-7771.

Below a micro-review via the NY Times:

Join me and other Iraq war opponents in a march down Broadway. Meet at Noon at 23rd Street & Broadway in Manhattan march to Foley Square for a Peace Fair all sponsored by United For Peace & Justice

Elizabeth Swados' new work, a cantata called Atonement will receive its final FREE performance of the current series at the Jewish Community Center, 334 Amsterdam Ave & 76th St. I heard the two previous performance and suggest you not miss this last one. The JCC website says the event is full, but tickets not picked up will be redistributed at 7:45 AM. Good luck.

LINDA STEIN & ANN SNITOW

cordially invite you to a fundraiser in honor of

NORMAN SIEGEL

Please come meet the People’s Advocate, and show your support for his campaign for NYC Public Advocate.

Wednesday, October 29th, 2007, 6:00 to 8:00pm

at the studio of Linda Stein 100 READE STREET

Bet. West Broadway & Church St. (Reade is one block north of Chambers St.)

Subways: A or C to Chambers St.; R or W to City Hall;

1, 2, 3 to Chambers St.; 4, 5, 6 to Brooklyn Bridge

PARKING ON SOME SIDE STREETS AT 6 PM; ON READE STREET AT 7 PM

Suggested Contribution: $25 to $250

Drinks & Refreshments will be served

RSVP to Theresa Canter at 212-448-6271